The Urban Development Action Grant is a onetime grant with a maximum request of $35,000 per job created. Funds are primarily for salary payroll tied to job creation or retention. 

Who can apply: Microenterprises, defined as five or fewer employees, including the owner. 

Minimum qualifications and key requirements

1. Must meet the microenterprise definition. 
2. Must benefit low and moderate income persons, including income verification requirements for the owner household. 
3. Must have an active Delray Beach Business Tax Receipt, and or a Palm Beach County Business Tax Receipt, or a documented exemption, if applicable. 
4. Must create or retain at least one full time permanent job per $35,000 invested.

Program Page: Urban Development Action Grant Business Assistance

The Delray Beach CRA offers multiple programs that can offset costs for commercial property improvements and certain business support initiatives within the CRA district. Those interested in qualifying for these programs should apply before starting construction, which may disqualify all or part of the project. 

Who can apply: Businesses and property owners tied to eligible properties within the Delray Beach CRA District, with program specific rules. 

Helpful direct program links

1. Project Consultancy and Design Services Program, guidelines: PDF
2. Site Development Assistance Program, guidelines: PDF
3. Paint Up and Signage Program, guidelines: PDF
4. Funding Assistance Application Form, fillable: PDF

Program Page: https://delraycra.org/funding-assistance/

A new or expanding business may apply for an economic exemption for improvements to real property and or tangible personal property not already on the Palm Beach County tax roll. Exemptions can be granted for one to ten years, depending on Board approval and project factors. 

Who can apply: New businesses, or expansions of existing businesses, that demonstrate positive economic impact, including job creation and maintenance.

Minimum qualifications and key requirements

1. Job creation, when using an ad valorem tax exemption, the criteria document states a new or expanding business must establish 10 or more new jobs. 
2. Wages, new jobs must pay an average wage above the current average annual wage for such jobs in the area. 
3. Deadline and fee, the County page lists a March 1 annual filing deadline and a $2,000 application fee.

Program Page: discover.pbc.gov/Tax-Exemption-Program

Program Criteria: PDF

DR 418 Economic Development Ad Valorem Property Tax Exemption Form

The USDA Rural Business Development Grants supports economic development and job creation projects serving eligible rural areas, through business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants. 

Who can apply: This program is only open to a public body government entity, a federally recognized Indian Tribe, or a nonprofit entity serving rural areas. For profit entities and individual businesses are not eligible to receive grants under this program.

Program Page: www.rd.usda.gov/business-development-grants

Capital Investment Tax Credit is an annual credit against Florida corporate income tax for up to 20 years, in an annual amount up to 5 percent of eligible capital costs. 

Who can apply: Projects in designated high impact sectors, meeting thresholds including at least $25 million in cumulative capital investment, with project certification by the Florida Department of Commerce.

Program Page: floridarevenue.com/corp_tax_incent

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act on the job training can reimburse employers for extraordinary training and supervision costs by covering a portion of a trainee’s wages. Nationally, reimbursement is commonly around 50 percent, funded through contracts.

WIOA Information: WIOA and Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship.gov
Memo - Waiver for OJT Opportunity Zone: CareerSource Florida, OJT Reimbursement Waiver PDF
Palm Beach County: CareerSource Palm Beach County, Training and Hiring Funding

Registered Apprenticeship is a structured model combining paid on the job learning with related classroom instruction, resulting in a nationally recognized credential.

Program page: Registered Apprenticeship Program, Apprenticeship.gov
WIOA funding pathways: WIOA and Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship.gov
Florida Department of Education Apprenticeships: Florida DOE, Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship finder map, Florida: Apprentice Florida